Pool table

ABSTRACT

A pool table which comprises a planar playing surface and having conventional indent sidewalls and pockets associated therewith, the improvement wherein there is provided a center bumper which is located substantially centrally of the playing surface. Preferably, the center bumper partially surrounds a centrally located pocket.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pool table and more particularly,relates to a novel structure for a pool table.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of pool tables is well established in the art. In this respect,the term “pool table” generally denotes a table having a flat planarsurface with side bumpers and a plurality of pockets into which ballsare shot. As used in here, the term “pool table” includes what are alsoreferred to as billiard tables and snooker tables, all of which are of asimilar structure.

The game of pool, as aforementioned, is well known and extremelypopular. Whether the games be pool, snooker, billiards, or a variationthereof, the game usually consists of using a cue to hit a cue ballwhich in turn will hit one or more balls on the table. The traditionalarrangement for all such games has consisted of four corner pockets, oneat each corner of the rectangular table and a pair of side pockets.

There has also been proposed in the art certain variations of pooltables to enable them to be utilized for other games. Thus, as shown inU.S. Pat. No. 4,948,128, there is provided a pool table which isdesigned to allow various poker games to be played by utilizing cardvalues which are marked on the balls. The Patentee teaches the use of apool table having enlarged ends and having ten different pockets.

A pool table of a similar configuration is shown in U.S. Pat. No.5,765,828 and wherein the central area is designed to simulate a golfhole. Thus, each table has a planar surface with raised peripheral sideedges with both resilient and non resilient bumpers. In this instance,there is only provided a single pocket.

A still further arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,476wherein a substantially conventional pool or billiard table is utilizedbut with the addition of a central pocket. The pockets are each providedwith sliding horizontal trap doors and the pool table may be used forgames such as golf as well as conventional pool or billiards games.

Notwithstanding the above proposals, the games of pool and billiardshave recently become less popular. This loss of popularity is possiblydue to the game not evolving over the years.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel pool tablewhich can be utilized in a different manner to provide variations of thegame of pool or billiards.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pool tablewhich provides greater visual stimulation and attracts attention.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apool table comprising a planar playing surface, first and second endwalls and first and second sidewalls surrounding the playing surface,each of the first and second sidewalls and end walls having bumpersthereon, pockets located at corners where the sidewalls and end wallsmeet, a center bumper located substantially centrally of the playingsurface.

As previously mentioned, the term “pool table” is used herein in ageneral fashion and is meant to encompass similar tables such asbilliard tables and the like. Generally, such tables come in standardsizes having a width of four feet, four and a half or five feet, withthe length being twice the width. Usually, pockets are provided at thefour corners with an additional pocket being located along each sidewallsubstantially midway between the ends of the sidewalls.

The pockets vary in structure according to the manufacture of the tableand the end use of the same. Thus, most pockets for the residentialmarketplace will comprise a sack into which the balls will drop.Commercial pool tables, on the other hand, usually allow the balls toreturn through a channel underneath the table to a central location. Itsuffices to say that the present invention can be utilized with any ofthe above configurations.

The cloth used for the surface and the structure of the bumpers alongthe side and end walls is again well known in the art and need not bedetailed herein.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided anadditional pocket which is located centrally of the table surface. Inother words, the center pocket would be aligned with the two sidepockets.

The center pocket is partially surrounded by at least one bumper andpreferably two bumpers to provide a symmetrical aspect. Between the twobumpers, there is provided a passageway to which access may be had tothe center pocket. Preferably, the center pocket has an arcuate bumperstructure on the exteriorly facing side thereof while the internallyfacing side is substantially flat. With such an arrangement, the gamebecomes substantially more difficult as any ball banked off the arcuatebumper will rebound at an angle which depends on the tangential line atthe point of contact. Thus, a difference of an inch will make asubstantial difference in the rebound path of a ball striking thebumper.

In one aspect of the present invention, it would be possible toeliminate the central pocket and merely provide a bumper structurecentrally located on the table.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the table is provided withvisual indicators to call attention to the achievement of certain goals.In one such arrangement, a plurality of lights may be provided about theperiphery of the table, with the lights flashing once a ball has enteredone of the pockets. The provision of suitable contacts and control meansfor achieving the same are well known in the art and need not bedetailed herein.

In a further embodiment, the central pocket may be provided with a coverstructure over the bumper and which would incorporate flashing lights.These lights can be activated through the use of sensors when a ballenters the center pocket.

The lights may be any suitable such as are well known in the art. Tothis end, florescent lights and/or LED's are preferred.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made tothe accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pool table according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the table surface thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the table surface showing the use oflighting elements;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the central bumper member;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the bumper member;

FIG. 6 is a view of the underside of the pool table;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an alternative central bumper according toan embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the lines 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings in a greater detail and by referencecharacters thereto, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a pool table which isgenerally designated by reference numeral 10.

Pool table 10 includes a table portion 12 which is of a rectangularconfiguration and generally measures either 4 feet by 8 feet, 5 feet by10 feet, or 6 feet by 12 feet. There are provided cutouts which formcorner pockets 14 and a pair of side pockets 16. According to thepresent invention, there is also provided a center pocket 18 whichcomprises an aperture located midway between the sides and midwaybetween the ends.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are providedlights 20 along the sides and ends of the table.

Table portion 12, in a conventional manner, is mounted on a base 22which is supported by legs 24.

Surrounding center pocket 18 is a center bumper member generallydesignated by reference numeral 26. Center bumper member 26 is comprisedof a first bumper element 28 and a second bumper element 28′. Bumperelements 28, 28′ are secured together by connecting member 30.

As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, each of bumper elements 28, 28′ have anarcuate side surface 32, 32′ respectively. There is provided a centerpassage 34 between elements 28, 28′ to permit passage of a balltherethrough.

Thus, as may be seen in FIG. 1, the game will become substantiallydifferent with the provision of center bumper member 26. In playing thegame, one must take into account the arcuate bumper sides 32, 32′. Also,the center pocket 18 can be used in a number of different manners. Forexample, in one embodiment, it is only the 8 ball which can be sunk inthe center pocket 18. However, it may be understood that any number ofdifferent rules may be arranged for the novel structure of the instantpool table.

In one embodiment, as may be seen in FIG. 6, the underside of the tableis provided with a plurality of ball return passages 36. Each ballreturn passage has an associated micro switch 38 which is operativelyconnected to a control box 40. In turn, lights 20 are connected theretosuch that when a ball activates a micro switch, the lights 20 may beactivated. Located centrally is a counterweight 42.

Apart from the use of lights with contact sensors, one may utilize othervisual effects. Thus, for example, there could be a smoke generatingmeans or like device.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, the table is provided withlights 25 mounted proximate the band of the table. Lights 25 arepreferably colored and may be arranged so as to represent the differentcolored balls. They may be designed to flash sequentially or all atonce. As an alternative, the lights may be placed under the bumpers ofthe table. It is particularly preferred that the lights be positioned atthe three points between the pockets to indicate the shooting angles.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8, there is illustrated a modifiedcentral bumper structure which comprises two half bumpers 62, 62′ andwherein each half bumper is a substantial mirror image of the other. Asmay be seen in FIG. 7, half bumper 62 is provided with a substantiallystraight outline adjacent central pocket 18 while on in the other side,there is provided an arcuate sidewall 66 which joins straight section 64through curved half bumper section 68.

There is provided a top cover 70 which comprises a planar upper portion72 with downwardly extending side portions 74 and terminating insubstantially horizontal portions 76. A pair of lights 78 are provided.

It will be understood that the above described embodiment is forpurposes of illustration only and that changes or modifications may bemade thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A pool table comprising: a planar playing surface; first and secondend walls and first and second sidewalls surrounding said playingsurface, each of said first and second sidewalls and end walls havingbumpers thereon; pockets located at corners where said sidewalls and endwalls meet; a center bumper located substantially centrally of saidplaying surface.
 2. The pool table of claim 1 further including firstand second side pockets located in said first and second sidewallsrespectively, said first and second side pockets being located midwayalong the length of a respective sidewall, and a center pocket, saidcenter pocket being located midway along a line extending between saidside pockets, said center pocket being partially surrounded by saidcenter bumper while permitting access to said center pocket by a playingball.
 3. The pool table of claim 1 wherein said center bumper comprisesfirst and second half bumpers, each half bumper being a mirror image ofthe other, a passageway extending between said first and second members,each of said first and second half bumpers having an outer outline of anarcuate configuration.
 4. The pool table of claim 3 wherein saidpassageway extends parallel to said sidewalls.
 5. The pool table ofclaim 3 further including a cover member extending over said centerpocket, said cover member being secured to said first and secondmembers.
 6. The pool table of claim 4 further including light meansassociated with said center bumper, sensor means associated with saidcenter pocket to sense the entry of a ball therein, and control means tocause said light means to flash when said sensor means detect a ball.